Addition named after hosptial administrator MacRitchie

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By Andy Barrand

Hillsdale.net - Hillsdale, MI

By Andy Barrand

Posted Mar. 4, 2013 at 8:36 AM

By Andy Barrand

Posted Mar. 4, 2013 at 8:36 AM

Hillsdale, Mich.

andy.barrand@hillsdale.net

HILLSDALE — With a quick snip of the ceremonial ribbon Sunday afternoon, nearly 10 years of planning, dreaming and construction became a reality with the opening of the John “Jack” MacRitchie North Wing addition at the Hillsdale Community Health Center.

On hand for the ribbon cutting was the entire MacRitchie family including his two sons, William and John MacRitchie Jr., who cut the ribbon.

MacRitchie served as the hospitals administrator from 1940 through his death in 1952.

Along with the MacRitchie family close to 100 county residents, staff and dignitaries were on hand for the opening. State Senator Bruce Caswell and State Representative Ken Kurtz were among the dignitaries.

The new 40,000 square-feet addition sits on the north end of the building, which was originally built in 1939. The first floor of the addition will feature 19 beds for the hospital’s skilled nursing unit and the bottom floor will be dedicated to the hospital’s obstetrics department.

The new obstetrics department features four large birthing rooms allowing family to be present at the time of delivery. It also features six other patient rooms, plus a large nursery and family waiting room.

Caswell said during his remarks that he closed a speech last week talking about the new addition jokingly as, “Hillsdale County’s answer to grandparents raising grandchildren.”

“It is a high privilege to be here today,” he said. “I appreciate that the hospital board stuck with this.”

Greg Bailey, chairman of the board of trustees said this project had unique challenges along the way.

“We are honored to dedicate this wing in his name,” Bailey said.

MacRitchie was a graduate of Hillsdale College and the University of Michigan. He was wounded during his time as a Marine in World War I. After his service he started the Hillsdale Baking Company before becoming administrator at the hospital.

During his time as administrator the hospital seen a boom in the amount of babies born at the facility with 500 born in 1946 and 1947 during the Baby Boom.

“The hospital became a well known hospital in the Midwest under his administration,” Duke Anderson, president and CEO said.

Anderson said both floors were designed to be attractive but functional for patients and staff.

“To say we are pleased and proud would be an understatement,” he said.

Anderson said there was no better person to dedicate the addition after.

Barry Collins, chief of staff said he was blown away when he toured the new addition for the first time Friday morning.

“I think Mr. MacRitchie would have been proud to put his name on this addition,” Collins said.

Collins in keeping his remarks short said he was pleased to see everyone that turned out for the opening.

Page 2 of 2 - The hospital will begin use of the addition after final inspections are complete and it receives its occupancy permit in the next couple of weeks.

Once the addition is open work will begin on the renovation of the “Mac” McGuire Skilled Nursing Facility on the hospital’s second floor. The renovation will make all of the rooms on the second floor private rooms for skilled care.

Construction on the addition began in 2011.

State Representative Kurtz delivered the benediction before visitors were allowed to tour the facility.